March 22, 2013 | The Miami Student

The Miami Student Oldest university newspaper in the United States, established 1826

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

VOLUME 140 NO. 45

MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO

TODAY IN MIAMI HISTORY In 1994, The Miami Student reported a story on junior Tom Schrock who was chosen to travel across the globe to be reunited with his old, international

girlfriend Laura van der Lecq on the Dutch game show, “All You Need is Love.” Sitting backstage, unable to understand the language being spoken around him, Schrock said he thought to himself, “What in the world am I doing here?”

Miami Pro Day showcases NFL prospects

BY TOM DOWNEY SPORTS EDITOR

With scouts from over half of the teams in the NFL watching, quarterback Zac Dysert and several other NFL hopefuls attempted to put on a show. It is a safe assumption that the scouts were at Yager Stadium on a cold and windy day to see Dysert. He will likely be the first quarterback

from Miami University to be drafted since Ben Roethlisberger.

Dysert did not get a chance to workout at the NFL Combine because of a slight hamstring tear he suffered in training, making his Pro Day workout even more important.

There were a few times Dysert had a pass sail high on him and his receivers dropped several catchable balls.

Dysert only threw at the Pro Day, as he is still recovering from the hamstring tear.

Cincinnati Bengals scout Brayden Coombs said Dysert showed why NFL teams are looking to draft him.

“He showed a lot of the same things that he has shown that has him in the position he is in right now,” Coombs said. “He’s got a strong arm and is accurate

BEN TALYOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

NFL scouts time former Miami University wide receiver Andy Cruse as he does a 40-yard dash. Cruse said he likely will not be drafted, but is hoping to be signed to NFL training camp after the draft.

for the most part. He was a little inconsistent today; had a few get away from him, but in general he showed the same things that we’ve seen and that teams know about him.”

Dysert said he does not know where he will be drafted and is trying to not think about it.

“It is all in God’s hands pretty much,” Dysert said. “I can’t really control that, so I try not to worry about it. I used to think about it all the time, but it started driving me insane.”

Coombs is a former Miami player and said he has a general idea of where Dysert will end up going, but it is tough to tell.

“It is so tough to say with just the way this year is with quarterbacks,” Coombs said. “A team could fall in love with him and take him in the second round or he could go in the fifth round or somewhere in between. I like Zac a lot personally; I’ve known him for five years. I think I’m biased and have a tendency to put him a little bit higher. It takes one [team]. He should be optimistic for a second round and worst-case a fifth round and most likely it will be somewhere in-between.”

Dysert said he had formal interviews with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets at the Combine. He also said he was going to have a private workout with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dysert has been training with former Florida State University and Carolina Panther

quarterback Chris Weinke since the RedHawks’ season ended.

Weinke won a Heisman Trophy at Florida State and is now the director of the IMG Football Academy.

“I think what he showed today was that he didn’t let [the weather] bother him,” Weinke said. “He showed that he is a good athlete, can make all the throws they are going to ask him to make at the NFL level and carried himself like he always does, like a true pro.”

Other former Miami players who were participating in the Pro Day were wide receivers Andy Cruse and Luke Swift, defensive back DJ Brown, linebacker Evan Harris, safety Pat Hinkel, defensive end Jason Semmes and linebacker Luke Kelly. Kelly mostly played defensive end during his senior year, but has a better shot of making the NFL as a linebacker given his lack of size.

Brown had an impressive 40-yard dash time, as he was unoffically clocked in the 4.4 second range.

Cruse, who will be attending the Bengals local workout out, said he was happy with his numbers. He was told he ran a 4.52 40-yard dash in his second attempt and had a 34-inch vertical.

“I think there are other guys here who will get brought into training camp,” Coombs said.

“I don’t know if there are any, other than Zac, who will get drafted. Cruse would definitely be a guy who will be in a training camp somewhere.”

Miami professor researches the illegality of unpaid internships

BY REBECCA PEETS STAFF WRITER

The findings of one Miami Universty English professor may be startling to students considering internships. According to research conducted by English professor Katherine Durack, there is a problem with many unpaid internships that students are often unaware of—they are illegal.

In February, over 200 companies attended Miami’s Spring Internship and Career Expo (ICE), an event held each year for students looking for jobs and internships.

According to Miami marketing professor David Rosenthal, the number of companies at Spring ICE has increased over the years as the number of students looking for internships has.

Durack said she believes this is due to an increasing amount of pressure being put on students.

“I think that the expectation of students now is that in order to have a competitive advantage in the job market they need an internship or two or three,” Rosenthal said.

Junior Kirsten Melling agreed.

“The concept of an internship has become more the norm rather than the exception,” Melling said.

Durack began her research in the spring of 2012 when a local nonprofit called The Requiem Project asked her to assist with internships.

Through this, she began to investigate the paid and unpaid internships for companies, and found information that concerned her.

“The landscape has changed since the recession,” Durack said.

“Student debt has been rising and at the same time more companies are offering unpaid internships.”

According to Durack, the number of households with student debt is now one in five. She also found the average amount owed has

increased by $3,333, the average salary of one paid internship, according to Durack.

Junior Jessica Howard said she found even more financial issues through her unpaid internship in the television industry.

“The amount the university charges for internship credit is pretty steep,” Howard said. “I think paying the university for these experiences is more unfair than not being paid for the job.”

However, Howard said she believes her internship will absolutely lead to a job offer within that field or company.

Durack said she wants students to know this information because, according to her, many students are unaware.

Melling is one of those students.

“That surprises me,” Melling said. “Especially since I’ve heard of so many people taking unpaid internships.”

The department of labor policy is outdated and not well regulated, according to Durack, but there are issues for students taking unpaid “illegal” internships.

According to Rosenthal, unpaid interns are left unprotected by workplace laws, including harassment.

“The courts have used pay as the determining factor for eligibility for recourse under the law,” Rosenthal said. “Interns are particularly vulnerable to questionable practices.”

Although they are illegal, the repercussions for companies offering illegal unpaid internships are unclear.

“As far as I know, nothing [happens] unless a student files a complaint,” Durack said. “This is where the enforcement by the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division would play a role, but from what I’ve read, enforcement is lax.”

The loose regulation of the law

causes a growth in the number of unpaid internships, and may even have the ability to displace paid internships, according to Durack.

Internships in communications and the arts are more likely to be unpaid, Durack said, as well as government and small nonprofit organizations.

However, Rosenthal said she recognizes some instances where unpaid internships are appropriate.

“A nonprofit organization is definitely going to be stretched for resources,” Rosenthal said. “Allowing someone to donate their time is perfectly okay. Fundamentally, it comes down to my belief that people should be rewarded for their hard work. That reward is typically called compensation. If you are volunteering in a nonprofit your reward is the feeling you have done good in the world.”

Senior Kylie Kochert said he had an unpaid internship summer of 2012 with a nonprofit organization, and said he has mixed feelings about the concept of unpaid internships. “This summer I didn’t really mind that I was not paid,” Kochert said. “I only worked part-time in the afternoon and had a paying job in the morning. I think the fact that I was being paid elsewhere was good and I viewed my unpaid internship as a great way to gain experiences in a field I am very interested in. However, if I did not have another paying job, I probably would have had more of a desire to be paid for my internship.”

Kochert said he believes unpaid internships benefit both the intern and the company, because the intern gets workplace experience and the company receives help that does not need to be compensated.

Unlike Kochert, Rosenthal said she does not recognize the morality of unpaid internships in for-profit institutions.

“There is no reason for a

government job not to pay you,” Rosenthal said. “They are paying their officials and covering costs, so I see no excuse to enslave their constituents.”

According to her research, Durack has found in addition to financial issues, unpaid internships statistically do not measure up to paid ones.

“According to a survey of 2012 graduates, paid interns tend to get

more real world experience than unpaid interns,” Durack said.

“Unpaid interns tend to do more clerical work.”

Durack found 63 percent of paid interns receive a job offer upon graduation, compared to 41 percent of unpaid interns. This shows very little difference from the 40 percent

INTERNSHIPS, SEE PAGE 8

BEN TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

JUST A BIT OUTSIDE

Miami University sophomore pitcher Brian Thene fires a pitch in Miami’s home opener against Indiana University. The Hoosiers swept the RedHawks in their two game series.

2

CAMPUS

EDITORS VICTORIA SLATER CATHERINE MONCEAUX

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

CAMPUS@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

Miami athletics cuts ties with dance team

BY AMANDA HANCOCK SENIOR STAFF WRITER

The Miami University dance team and the Miami Athletic Department are parting ways.

The team will now perform at fewer athletic events in the future, according to Michael Arnos, director of club sports.

“The team was not meeting the obligations of their agreement with Miami Athletics, so the benefits from their agreement were revoked,” Arnos said.

The Athletic Department was unavailable for comment.

The dance team is officially a club sport and it is not funded or associated with Miami athletics; however, the department had an understanding with the team under which they would perform at home football games and the majority of home basketball games.

Team captain, senior Allison

Tevyaw, said the situation spiraled from the team’s inability to perform at athletic events that the Athletic Department asked them to attend during winter and spring breaks, including the basketball Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament last week.

Two weeks prior to spring break, the team informed the Athletic Department they would not be able to perform at the MAC Tournament. Afterwards, Tevyaw said the department told the 26 team members to clear out their locker room and trophy case in Millet Hall.

The team was also asked to turn in the keys to its practice space and to begin phasing out the current dance team logo.

The team’s coach, Stephanie Rogers, will not have a renewed contract, according to Tevyaw.

“We knew there would be

backlash, but we didn’t expect it to be of that magnitude,” Tevyaw said. “We were definitely in shock.”

The Athletic Department reportedly asked the team to attend the MAC tournament from March 11 to 15, but the girls did not have the financial means to do so.

“A lot of our girls are from out of state and we didn’t have the funds in our program for everyone to stay on campus and for transportation,” Tevyaw said.

“The toughest thing for our girls is that we’re not on scholarship or getting funded, but they expect us to come to all the games.”

This became a challenge, according to Tevyaw, because the team’s goals began to diverge from the goals of the Athletic Department. The team wanted to maintain a competition focus.

“Even though we love performing there and it adds a lot to the

game day experience, our main goal is not to perform at the athletic events,” Tevyaw said.

Sophomore dance team member, Raya Lawson, said the team will remain a student-run club sport and compete as in previous years.

They have also been able to keep their practice space for the remainder of the semester. The dancers practice for four nights a week for three hours to prepare for competition and use breaks from school to further practice their routines, according to Tevyaw.

“The team is greatly affected by this because all members love to perform for the Miami community and audience at the athletic events,” Lawson said, adding they plan to perform at other on-campus events.

Arnos said the dance team will continue to be a strong club sport

in good standing as they have been all year.

“I expect that the dance team will still perform at athletic events in the future though on a more limited basis, to focus on their competition endeavors,” Arnos said Although these changes greatly impact the team, Tevyaw and Lawson said they are moving on.

According to Tevyaw, for the next three weeks, the team will keep its eyes on the National Dance Alliance competition, which is in Daytona Beach, Fla. from April 10 to 14. They will also have tryouts towards the end of spring semester for the fall 2013 team.

“We’ve had some time to let this settle in and we’re trying to put a positive spin on it,” Tevyaw said. “We’re definitely rolling with the punches.”

Ohio governor reappoints alumnus to Miami University Board of Trustees

BY DOUG MILLER

FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

Miami University alumnus David Budig has been reappointed to a second term on the Miami Board of Trustees by Ohio governor John Kasich.

Budig filled in during the spring of 2011 when board member Kay Geiger resigned. Budig officially began his second term on March 11, and will now be a trustee on the board until 2022.

Budig graduated from Miami in 1980 with a business finance degree, and is currently the executive vice president and chief operating officer for Budco Group Incorporated in Cincinnati.

Budig has been involved in multiple groups since graduating. He served as the president of the Miami University Alumni Association board of directors from 1995 to 1999. After that, he served on the Miami University

Foundation board from 2001 to 2007 and the For Love and Honor committee from 2007 to 2010, according to Budig.

“I had been a part of a lot of organizations, including the Miami Alumni Association, before I was lucky enough to be able to finish Geiger’s term,” Budig said.

Budig was among a group of people nominated to fill in for Geiger, who resigned after getting an important job at PNC Bank. Kasich chose Budig to finish the last year and a half. Budig has now been awarded another term, and is currently serving as the vice chair of the board.

Sharon Mitchell, chair of the Board of Trustees, has been a member of the board since 2009, and has had the opportunity to work with Budig for the last two years. She said she has seen how he has helped the board in so many different ways.

“He is an outstanding board member who truly helps benefit

the university,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell also said she believes Budig’s extensive experience on the Alumni Association board of directors has helped lead to his success on the Board of Trustees.

As members of the Board of Trustees, Budig and Mitchell not only work with other Miami graduates, but also current students.

Junior Arianne Wilt became the student trustee in 2012, and has been able to work with Budig for a year.

“He is very charismatic and approachable,” Wilt said. “And since he has so many close ties to this school, he has a lot of great ideas.”

As his second term gets underway, Budig said he wants to help Miami continue to succeed.

“I want to help Miami continue to provide excellent academic opportunities for students, as well as maintain affordable education,” Budig said.

LAX GALS

JEANNE MARIE DU-TOIT THE MIAMI STUDENT

The girls club lacrosse team takes advantage of the sunny, yet windy, weather on Cook Field and gets in some practice.

Professor receives Fulbright Early registration relieves students abroad

BY KAILA FRISONE

FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

Miami University associate professor of paper and chemical engineering, Steven Keller, has been named a Fulbright visiting professor to Austria.

The Fulbright Program is a prominent international exchange program of students, scholars and researchers sponsored by the U.S. government, according to the Council for International Exchange Scholars website.

Keller is currently scheduled to teach two courses and conduct research at the Graz University of Technology from October to January 2014. He said his visit to the university for a conference one year ago inspired him to apply to the Fulbright Program.

Keller said he was drawn to the program for many reasons, yet one of the most appealing was the opportunity for Miami students in the chemical and paper engineering department to study at Graz during the next academic year’s J-term.

“I’m looking forward to inviting 15 to 20 of our students for three weeks in order for them to have a similar cultural experience and also to interact with [Graz] students,” Keller said.

According to Keller, 21 students in the department are interested in attending, but only 18 of them are most likely to participate.

Jon Kerr, executive director of the paper science and engineering foundation, said this is a

FULBRIGHT, SEE PAGE 4

BY CYNTHIA MARCINEK FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

Miami University offers its students the opportunity to study abroad in numerous countries, but what many Miami students in Oxford do not know, is thaose studying abroad are also able to enjoy the added perk of priority registration.

According to Sarah McNitt, a study abroad advisor in Miami’s Office of International Education, students who study abroad in the fall and spring semesters get priority registration along with the athletes and honors students.

“I think one of the reasons behind priority registration is to give the students more time to register because it could be more difficult while abroad,” McNitt said. “It’s also another way to show that Miami

values study abroad experiences.”

Karla Guinigundo, international grant coordinator and advisor, agreed that allowing them priority registration has its benefits.

“Because they are abroad, [priority registration] gives them more time to get ready,” Guinigundo said.

Sophomore Kimberly Johnston will be studying in Luxembourg in the fall and said she appreciates knowing she will be able to register early.

“I do feel a bit more comfortable knowing I’ll be able to get into the classes that I need to be in so I can be on the right track and graduate on time,” Johnston said.

Junior Julia Engelbrecht spent the past fall semester in Florence, Italy and said having priority scheduling helped her feel more at ease when it came to scheduling.

“I thought it was really helpful having priority scheduling,” Engelbrecht said. “Although I didn’t experience any problems registering for classes over there, I was really nervous that there would be problems, so it took the pressure off a lot.

Also, knowing that no one else had registered yet put me at ease because the last thing I wanted to stress about was classes for the next semester.”

On the other hand, junior Nicolette Lanaghan is going abroad this summer but does not think it is fair that students abroad get priority scheduling.

“I don’t think it’s fair because they’re receiving preferential treatment for no reason,” Lanaghan said.

“Just because they’re abroad doesn’t

ABROAD, SEE PAGE 4

Faculty promotes use of free publications Study attracts magnet

BY CONNOR MORIARTY FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

Miami University faculty encourage students to utilize the expanded efforts to bring the biggest news publications to campus, free of cost.

According to journalism program director, Richard Campbell, Miami’s Collegiate Readership Program has been able to bring some of the nation’s most predominant newspapers, such as USA Today and The New York Times, to Miami’s campus for over a decade. The program began in 1997 by Pennsylvania State University and was implemented at Miami in 1999. Available in student centers, libraries and residence halls across campus, the publications

provided by the program are free of cost to students, staff and faculty.

Campbell said in the 2008 to 2009 school year, the budget for the Collegiate Readership Program was cut in half from $80,000 to $40,000 because of priority reasoning in the student fee through tuition, which limited the amount of publications the program could offer.

He added that demand for hard copies of newspapers is shrinking across the country as popularity of online readership increases. Because of this, publications like USA Today cut some publication days out of the week, limiting Miami’s access.

Campbell said he believes providing newspapers on campus are important for students, as they lead

to a well-rounded education of the community and of the world.

“A higher education is evidencebased, allowing us to go out into the world better informed,” he said.

The readership program makes this possible, according to Campbell.

An addition to students’ accessibility to publications is an online database, Factiva. Factiva has offered the world’s largest publications for free on the university library website since 2006, according to Miami business librarian, Susan Hurst.

The database offers access to over 36,000 news sources.

Hurst, who originally proposed

PUBLICATION, SEE PAGE 4

BY MAX MANZONE FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

In the basement of Hughes Hall at Miami University, there sits a six and a half ton structure—a magnet. This magnet is being used in the research of pancreatic cancer, with a focus on early detection, which is crucial in the long-term treatment process.

Michael Kennedy, the director of the research process on pancreatic cancer and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, works alongside two graduate students, including Michelle Veite, and a larger group of undergraduate students who

assist in the daily operations of the study.

“We informally call [the magnet] Beluga,” Veite said. “But its technical name is NMR or Nuclear Magnetic Resonance” According to Kennedy, the 850-megahertz magnet has been housed in Hughes Hall for over half of a decade.

“When it came here in 2007, they had to knock out a wall and it was physically placed here by using a crane,” Kennedy said.

In the daylight, when walking behind Hughes, a difference in the color of the bricks can be

MAGNET, SEE PAGE 4

EDITORS JANE BLAZER CHRIS CURME

COMMUNITY FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

COMMUNITY@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

3

POLICE Sequester limits public services

BEAT

BY VICTORIA POSMANTUR

FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

Sequestration went into effect March 1, as Washington’s deadline to reach a budget compromise passed without resolution. Some say the series of federal budget cuts will impact the Oxford community.

As both parties have failed to produce a budget, cuts will be felt at the federal level, according to Charles Moul, assistant professor of economics at Miami University. These cuts are likely to affect Oxford and surrounding communities.

Moul explained the threat of sequestration was intended to encourage and ensure the creation of a budget that would be amenable to both parties.

“The system has not been working the way it is supposed to for the past two years now,” Moul said.

“Both sides are to blame. We have a system of rules that are not being abided by and it is the reason we keep lurching from one crisis to the next. This is all stemming from Congress not doing their constitutional duty of passing a budget and giving it to the president.”

The congressional budget office estimates $85 billion in cuts across

all federal agency budgets, according to Bryan Marshall, assistant chair and chief departmental advisor of the political science department.

He added this may result in the loss of 750,000 jobs nationally.

“Since these cuts are being made across the board, certain people are more likely to feel it than others,” Marshall said. “Some of the money could have been used for job training, which would be more likely to hurt younger people, while some could argue that these programs could hurt older people just as well.

Meals on Wheels and other federally subsidized programs will also take a significant hit. It’s sprinkling the pain across all groups of people, which is exactly what it was designed to do.”

Partners in Prime is a program for senior citizens in neighboring towns and communities, which provides lunch and transportation services for people who can no longer drive or leave their homes. They will be negatively impacted by a decrease in federal dollars, according to Steve Schnabl, CEO. “If federal money declines, the country’s dollars cannot be spent on the senior center operations programs and we will see a loss at our agency of about $15,000 to $20,000 that we will not be able to make

up anywhere else,” Schnabl said.

“Lunch programs serve about 18 thousand meals. A reduction of five percent would take away about 900 meals that we could serve.”

Partners in Prime, which operates in Fairfield, Hamilton and West Chester, will be forced to reduce programming at all locations, according to Schnabl.

“With about 75 meals a month, and people who come more regularly than others, we will no longer be able to serve from 3-10 of them,” Schnabl said.

Schnabl emphasized the importance of transportation services for senior citizens and said the seniors who have no access to transportation may have to move into nursing homes. If the federal government were to pay for this relocation and subsequent stay in a nursing home, it would see expenses five times greater than allowing home independence while providing transportation, according to Schnabl.

The most visible budget cut effects will be seen in government offices and federally subsidized organizations, according to Michael Rudolph, vice chair of the Board of the Oxford Chamber of Commerce.

For example, said Rudolph, the Transportation Security

Administration agents in our nearby airports may be short-staffed.

Though there will still be commercial airplanes and security, there may be fewer flights and longer lines.

“Effects of these cuts are not likely to be felt in Oxford in the short term,” Rudolph said. “…Many people in the defense sector or working with military contracts are more likely to feel the fallout. Long term I am not sure what will happen, but anytime there are cuts in government agencies, we all feel it. We all have something in our lives that is provided by government employees.”

Senior political science major, Robert Harrelson, explained his concern about the sequestration.

“The sequester would only account for a fraction of our spending,” Harrelson said. “Although facing this long-term issue upfront is most important, I wish we could have found a way for both parties to have been more strategic.”

Schnabl further expressed his disappointment in what he sees as Washington’s ineffective leadership.

“What is so stressful about sequestration is that our leaders need to lead us to a better conclusion, rather than throwing up their hands and quitting,” Schnabl said.

Ohio proposes higher speed limits on state freeways

BY ABBY RUSS

FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

Changes being considered by Ohio’s Senate Transportation Committee could increase speed limits on many state freeways to 70 mph.

Members of the committee proposed the change Monday March 11, and hope to see higher speed limits by this summer. The change only applies to interstate freeways that are outside urban areas. This would include interstates 70, 71 and 75.

The speed limit in the urban areas of Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati would remain at 65 mph and could even be reduced to 55 mph by the Department of Transportation to prevent automobile crashes.

The majority of surrounding states

including Indiana, West Virginia and Michigan, have already increased their speed limits on rural freeways.

Senators proposing the change said they believe improved safety features in automobiles and trucks permit higher speed limits. While the increased speed limit could be helpful in getting people places faster, the Ohio State Patrol has some reservations. Patrol spokesperson Lieutenant Anne Ralston said they have expressed their concerns regarding the legislation and will continue to follow it as it moves forward.

“Our concern is for safety,” Ralston said. “Our mission is not going to change, but we enforce the laws that are voted on through the legislative process.”

However, according to the Ohio

Department of Transportation, many of the fatal crashes occur in congested areas in which the speed limit would not increase.

Patrick Foltyn from the Ohio Insurance Institute said they are still devoloping an official stance on the issue, but acknowledged they have traditionally been opposed to legislation of this form.

Even with the concerns of the State Patrol and the Ohio Insurance Company, Miami senior Isabelle Shanafelt said she believes the increased speed limit will bring joy to many Miami students.

“The drive home from school is usually long and boring and now students can drive faster without the fear of being pulled over,” Shanafelt said.

Miami sophomore Andrea Gevas

is in favor of the new speed limits but is hesitant about her safety driving home.

“Driving home to Columbus, I want to feel safe, especially from the people driving around me at a faster speed,” Gevas said.

According to the Ohio Transportation Committee, the success of increased speed limits in surrounding states has solidified the stance lawmakers have taken on this issue.

The Transportation Committee ensures that the safety of Ohio citizens will not be compromised with the passage of this legislation, designed to benefit them.

If the legislation faces no opposition, the new law will be passed in the upcoming weeks and put into effect by this July.

Students spend spring break advocating on Capitol Hill

BY JESSICA BARGA

PAGE DESIGNERS WANTED.

Email Reid Groth at grothrm@miamioh.edu for more information.

STAFF WRITER

Over spring break, 27 Miami University students advocated for higher education at the state and national levels, traveling from Oxford, to Columbus and Washington, D.C. Students met with 122 of the 133 senatorial and representative offices that compose the Ohio legislature.

In their meetings, students expressed gratitude for the current higher education operating budget and encouraged legislators to continue funding levels, according to Lisa Dankovich, director of external relations at Miami and one of the faculty members who accompanied students on the trip.

Dankovich said the students met with legislative staffers as well as elected officials as part of the trip, officially titled Government Relations Network Alternative Spring Break Conference 2013: Exploring Government and Leadership.

Though students were advised by Randi Thomas, director of institutional relations at Miami, a handful of undergraduates planned and organized the meeting schedules. The diverse group of students included two first-years and six seniors, as well as majors from many departments, according to Thomas.

To help officials understand what makes Miami unique and why funding is vital, students discussed their college research, study abroad experiences and undergraduate involvement, according to Thomas.

The students were generally in groups of three, one student representing diversity at Miami, another having a great story of why he or she chose Miami and a third having significant research experience.

The latter was a critical element,

CONTRIBUTOR: RANDI THOMAS THE MIAMI STUDENT

(Left to right) Miami junior Natalie Kudrle, sophomore Greg Dick, and junior Nick Miller, Senator John McCain, and sophomore Jaqueline Vance, junior Jonathan Fox, sophomore Michael Markesbery and sophomore wwAshley Charles pose for a photo opportunity with Randi Tomas (far right).

Thomas said.

“We wanted members of the general assembly to hear their experiences, their Miami ‘eureka’ moments,” Thomas said. “Students reported that members were most interested in our graduation rates, First Miami Credit Union and the emphasis on the undergraduate experience [at Miami]…The house members were able to be with the students and ask candid questions…it gave members an unfettered access from a student perspective.”

Following their visit to Columbus, students went to Washington, D.C. to meet with other legislators, including a timeslot to testify before the House Subcommittee on Higher Education.

Junior Nick Miller was Miami’s lead speaker before the subcommittee. He focused on his experiences at Miami and what his college involvement has meant to him.

“I have a strong interest in

government and leadership, and the opportunities to learn about what happens at the legislative level and give back to the school a little bit were very rewarding,” Miller said.

Multiple groups across campus contributed to make the trip possible, including the Parent’s Council, University Affairs and others, according to Dankovich.

“It was really a joint effort by a lot of divisions across campus,” said Dankovich.

Senior Forrest McGuire, another participant, said he was grateful for the opportunity to meet with legislators and staffers to talk about what makes Miami unique and argue why every student should be afforded the same opportunities at Miami as well as other public universities, which is all dependent on how legislators allocate dollars.

“They’re tying in how funding will be allocated based on

graduation rates, so we wanted to share how high Miami’s graduation rates have been,” McGuire said.

He said he enjoyed the opportunity to speak on behalf of Miami on a state and national stage.

“It was something out of my comfort zone, and it was an opportunity where I could give something back to the university,” McGuire said.

“Instead of going to the beach or going home [for spring break], we advocated for Miami, so that was something really special.”

Thomas said Miami was the only school to participate in a trip of this magnitude.

“I think what [the students on the trip] did shows Miami students’ appreciation of their educational experience,” Thomas said. “They chose to use their spring break time in a non-traditional way, and that really spoke highly of them and the university as a whole.”

4

www.miamistudent.net

CAMPUS FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

ASG examines Miami Plan redesign, shares concerns and suggestions

BY VICTORIA SLATER CAMPUS EDITOR

During Tuesday’s meeting, the Associated Student Government (ASG) heard a presentation from Director of Liberal Education John Tassoni and several colleagues about the Miami Plan redesign.

According to Tassoni, the redesign will be finalized and implemented within the next three years. The renovated plan will focus on a series of seminars, inquiry frameworks and experiential learning requirements, such as internships and study abroad opportunities.

Four different versions of the remodeled Miami Plan currently exist in the works: Badges, Themes, Common Core and Cohort Cluster. Tassoni explained that a Miami Plan Task Force was created

last summer to swap ideas and formulate methods to establish the renovation. Last semester, surveys were sent out to the student body and faculty to gather opinions, comments and suggestions.

“A Task Force comprising faculty, student and staff representatives spent some of last summer and all of last fall reading about trends in liberal education, examining designs at other schools, familiarizing themselves with state regulations and initiatives at Miami and discussing strengths and weakness of the current Miami Plan,” he said. “At the end of last semester, we circulated a survey to help us gauge the university’s response to some of the goals and components we were considering and to gather more ideas from the Miami community.”

This semester, the Task Force developed the four different

versions of the redesign utilizing the information from the surveys.

Tassoni explained how each redesign decreases the required amount of credit hours for graduation from 40 to 49. He also said, like the current university honors program curriculum, the new plan will emphasize breadth of learning outcomes and liberal education. Breadth of learning encourages students to reach proficiency in general areas, like art, math, natural science and literature.

“Breadth of learning focuses on competencies rather than disciplines,” he said. “We will focus on liberal education skills, knowledge and attitudes.”

He added the foundation courses students are mandated to complete by the Ohio Transfer Module, like English 111, will be integrated into the new plan. Students will have to complete these

Boxing club elects first female president

BY CHRISTINA FERRELL FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

Lauren Pinkerton is a junior integrated English language arts education major at Miami University, and she is also the first female president of the Miami Boxing Club.

Miami Boxing is an official club sport in which members compete in the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) at the regional and national levels from August to April, and are eligible for All-American status.

The Club welcomes those who are interested in boxing both for competition, recreational purposes and in order to get into better shape.

Pinkerton had been on the team for a couple of years when the president position became available.

“I joined as a freshman and I’d been on the team the longest,” Pinkerton said. “I had the most experience out of everyone, so the position was given to me.”

Even though the majority of members are male, Pinkerton said her being a girl is no big deal.

“They don’t view me any differently,” Pinkerton said. “They treat me like a guy, they have fun with me.”

Vice president of the club, first-year Austin Van Houten, said having a female president is actually better in some ways than having a male.

“I think it’s a good change,” Van Houten said. “You feel more respect for women in a way.

[Pinkerton] works out hard. It makes you realize that women are physically fit as well and they can hang in there with men.”

Being the first female president is not the only thing Pinkerton has accomplished for women at Miami.

“I’m the first girl to ever compete for Miami [Boxing] at all,” Pinkerton said. “There are two other girls, and they show up regularly enough that I consider

MAGNET, FROM PAGE 2

seen from where the magnet was placed into the building.

The researchers are using mice that have pancreatic cancer as test subjects for the innovative approach to pancreatic cancer research.

“Stool samples from mice will hopefully show markers that indicate pancreatic cancer during three pre-cancer stages,” senior biochemistry major Bill Wilson said, a student helping with the research. “The goal is that correlations can be found between these markers that can be utilized for research and applications for humans.”

According to Veite, the magnet has been used to try and set protocols or a systematic way to conduct research.

By identifying the phases of the cancer development, markers found within samples by the magnet within each stage may be able to show when pancreatic

them part of the team.”

Though these girls do not compete, they are still considered part of the team.

According to Pinkerton, rules for male and female boxing are the same for the most part.

“There’s not really a difference from an outside point of view,” Pinkerton said. “We have the exact same workout, the bouts are all three rounds, two minutes each, but the style of fighting just happens to be different for girls.”

That style difference may be what makes boxing so thrilling for spectators, according to Pinkerton.

“Guys are more tactic, but for some reason when girls get in the ring it gets ruthless,” Pinkerton said. “We always have the best fights. Everyone loves the girls’ fights more than the guys’ because it’s so much more intense.”

Pinkerton explained boxing is a very rigorous sport and it is not for everyone.

“It’s hard for people to come back year after year because... it takes up so much time,” Pinkerton said. “I could be there for three hours a day. And being punched in the face is not fun for most people. It’s sometimes hard to find motivation to come every single day.”

According to Pinkerton, about 70 people try out each year and eventually weed themselves out, as there are never cuts, but the workouts are designed so only the mentally toughest will stay.

Pinkerton said this year, the team is the largest it has ever been, at around 30 members, as opposed to her first year when there were only six.

She attributed this to the fact that this year not everyone is required to compete.

Seven boxers competed at the Home Show Feb. 23, but this number varies from show to show based on the feelings of the boxers.

Pinkerton said the club does

not bother with academic requirements because, in general, they see the boxers take the mental lessons they learn in practice and apply them to their studies, resulting in good grades.

Though Pinkerton is the president of the club, she has not been competing this year.

“I haven’t been able to compete this year because insurance costs $55 and I don’t want to pay that,” Pinkerton said. “I don’t have $55.”

Van Houten has been competing in his first year and he said he enjoys the experience.

“I didn’t really want to compete at first,” Van Houten said. “I just wanted a good workout.”

Van Houten said he has learned from the experience in the ring.

“I lost my first fight, but even losing, it doesn’t really feel that bad because I didn’t even want to fight in the first place,” Van Houten said. “From boxing, I’ve learned to demonstrate a lot of courage and a lot of leadership.

It’s a good experience.”

Pinkerton and Van Houten both said they have hopes for the team in the remaining competitions this year.

“Our team is doing alright,” Van Houten said. “Hollin Jenkins is our treasurer, and he’s doing well. We’re hoping to bring him to nationals. And we have a couple of other guys who we’re hoping to make it through regionals.”

Pinkerton also said she feels like there are lifelong lessons to be learned in the ring.

“We like to think what we learn in the ring goes through the rest of your life,” Pinkerton said. “There’s absolutely nothing more terrifying than getting in the ring and after you do it you don’t really fear things like job interviews. Your anxiety goes down, and you put harder work into everything you do.”

Pinkerton said regionals are March 15 and nationals are April 4.

cancer is first present.

“We can’t just simply place the samples within the magnet, they have to be put through various steps before they can be properly tested,” Veite said. “Once we figure out a way [in] which the samples can be examined, we can associate specific markers that are present with stages of pre-cancer.”

The undergraduate students who participate in the research are crucial to the final success of the study because of their extensive involvement.

“On a daily basis we help with dissections, organ identification, sample collection, breeding and genotyping,” junior Brian Byrne said, another student working on the research. “You can physically see that in mice who have pancreatic cancer, the spleen is about three times as large as that of a normal mouse.”

According to Kennedy, the study will be conducted with about 3,000 mice—600 in the control group and 600 in the test

group—with an additional 1,200 bred to ensure there is a large enough sample size.

The magnet is crucial because of its capability to find markers that can prove to be significant in showing that pancreatic cancer has begun to progress.

First-Year Conrad Ulmer, an uninvolved student, said he was surprised more people were not aware of the research.

“It sounds like something that more students should be aware about,” Ulmer said. “Research as substantive as this happening on our campus it truly amazing.”

In addition to pancreatic cancer research, the magnet also is used for research of protein structures and for a separate study on pancreatic cancer cell lines.

“The current study is slated to take over a year before its conclusion,” Veite said. “At which point society may be more knowledgeable about pancreatic cancer, with the help of the powerful magnet situated upon our campus.”

courses in addition to liberal education seminars and themes, which will mirror the present thematic sequence requirements.

In response to the presentation, senior Senator Brandon Patterson voiced his concern that the updated plan does not include crucial principles that the present plan accentuates.

“I do think the Miami Plan is in need of a revamp, but there are some positives I see with the current Miami Plan like the four principles, like engaging with others and critical thinking and so forth,” he said. “Not only do I see those four principles not being brought up, but I also saw a lot of different paths being made for different kinds of students.”

The four principles that exist within the current Miami Plan are thinking critically, in which students develop critical thinking

skills; understanding contexts, in which students explore the historical, political, social and cultural roots of an issue; engaging with other learners, in which students learn to best communicate with their peers; and reflecting and acting, in which students reflect and draw conclusions in response to their experiences.

Department chair of computer science and software engineering Jim Kiper said that he appreciates concerns, comments and critiques, and urges students to speak out, even though the redesign will not affect the current student body.

“You can be concerned about how this is going to affect the university, and I know you are all interested in the continued success of what will then be your alma mater,” he said. “This is affecting future students, and we want the best for them.”

FULBRIGHT,

ABROAD,

wonderful acknowledgement of Keller, who began teaching at Miami in 2006.

“It’s a huge honor and it reflects extremely well on the program,” Kerr said. “It’s a hallmark of excellence.”

Kerr intends to publicize Keller’s accomplishment in the industry. According to Kerr, Miami has one of the leading paper and chemical engineering programs in the country, with 73 students currently enrolled in the curriculum.

Rachael Hall, a senior chemical engineering major, is currently taking her fifth course with Keller.

“Having Dr. Keller as a professor at Miami is an amazing opportunity, as he is one of the scholarly leaders in the industry,” Hall said. “Though certainly challenging, Dr. Keller’s classes offer students an insight into the paper science field.”

Hall said Keller’s dedication to his students is evident in his open-door policy where students frequently spend hours discussing career goals.

Not only will Keller teach two courses and invite Miami students to study abroad in Austria, he will also be conducting research in surface chemistry of fine and nano-scaled materials in the paper making process to improve strength properties between paper and inks. He will also research tomographic techniques to study paper structure.

Keller said two professors from the Graz University of Technology, Ulrich Hirn and Wolfgang Bauer, will help him with his research.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Keller said. “…It’s going to be an exciting ride from now until I return home after January.”

mean they need to schedule classes before they normally would in order to get into those classes.”

Sophomore Austin Hopkins also said he thinks study abroad students should not have priority registration.

“I don’t think it’s fair,” Hopkins said. “I think people should just register based on the class standing according to Bannerweb, not where you are located at the time of registration.”

According to Guinigundo, many students are in touch with their advisors through email while they are abroad. At their pre-departure meeting, students are suggested to take along their academic advisors contact information so they can contact them if necessary.

“I did not keep in contact with my advisor, but I did meet with her before I went abroad, so I already knew what classes to sign up for,” Engelbrecht said.

According to McNitt, some students are influenced by their experiences abroad and find ways to incorporate those experiences into their curriculum in Oxford.

Engelbrecht is an example of that.

“I was definitely more interested in taking an international studies or political science class relating to European politics and economy, but unfortunately I didn’t have the time to do so,” Engelbrecht said.

Johnston is currently planning on taking major-related classes, but would be willing to add classes relating to her experiences if the occasion should arise.

“As of right now, I’m planning on taking all major-related classes when I return,” Johnston said. “But if the opportunity came about, I think studying abroad will open my horizon of different cultural classes.”

PUBLICATION,

of current events. He said he believes college students, if anyone, should read newspapers this way.

“There’s just something different about holding a newspaper,” he said.

However, Campbell added that online sources like Factiva are great tools to find specific articles or interests the reader is looking for.

Senior Michael Trivelli, a daily reader of news publications and a strong supporter of Factiva, said he prefers reading online.

“I prefer reading articles online because I can do a news search and find topics of interest quickly from many different sources,” he said.

“Factiva is an extremely helpful resource provided by Miami libraries, and one that I think is underutilized.”

Trivelli said he believes online reading through Factiva is more practical than hard copy newspapers because students can access publications from anywhere and utilize them simultaneously.

First-year Chad Barth said he likes to stay knowledgeable with current events. After using Factiva, Barth said he believes it is a helpful tool.

“It is much easier to sort through information digitally, and Factiva is definitely something I would use to search for articles of my interest,” he said.

FROM PAGE 2

FROM PAGE 2

the idea to offer it to students, said she strongly recommends Factiva.

Factiva can be found on the Miami library website in the A-Z database.

According to Hurst, she does not see why students would not take advantage of Factiva because of its accessibility and important worldly information provided. Factiva offers many of the nation’s largest publications, including the Wall Street Journal, which is not accessible anywhere else online.

“It is already paid for through tuition so, like the rec center, you might as well take advantage of it,” she said.

Though students can access online news publications, they can still pick up printed newspapers, like the Dayton Daily News and the Cincinnati Enquirer, in most academic buildings. Campbell and Hurst agreed there are advantages to both hard copies and online publications.

Hurst said she believes reading a hard copy of a newspaper is a way to focus on the daily news without distractions, such as links.

Campbell explained when reading a hard copy, the reader is exposed to a broad variety of diverse topics to widen general knowledge

FROM PAGE 2

www.miamistudent.net

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 SPORTS

HOCKEY, FROM PAGE 10

Get ahead or catch up.

Cross off another requirement.

Redhawks, consider taking a Wright State class this summer.

You’ll be able to transfer your earned credits back to Miami.

2013 Summer Class Schedule • A term: May 6–June 12 • B term: June 17–July 24 • C term: May 6–July 24 We offer convenient class times, including some online options.

How to apply:

Visit www.wright.edu/nondegree to download the one-page Non-degree Student Application Form. Fill it out, send it in, and you’re on your way!

www.wright.edu/nondegree

success, history is on Miami’s side. Michigan has come out on top of the CCHA post-season a total of nine times, all within the last 19 years. The Wolverines also have a stranglehold on the all-time record against Miami with a 72-27-4 series lead and they are 4-1-0 when playing the RedHawks on neutral ice.

A 24-10-5 record and a series split in Ann Arbor back in October gives Miami the advantage though, as does stellar play by several of its younger members. Freshman goaltender Ryan McKay has posted an NCAAbest 1.20 goals-against average (GAA) and a .954 save percentage and has started the last six games for the Red and White.

Freshman forward Riley Barber finished first in the CCHA scoring race with 38 points, and his linemate, sophomore Austin Czarnik, finished third with 36. Both were recently named to the First Team All-CCHA and freshman defenseman Matthew Caito garnered Honorable Mention All-CCHA. For the elder Miami players, this trip is a culmination of their hard work on and off the ice, as they’ve made it to Detroit all four years. Senior defenseman Joe

TENNIS,

FROM PAGE 10 but we still need to work hard as we head into the MAC season,” Thurman said. “We have a lot of expectations and we can’t take any school lightly since we’re the target. We need to keep playing at a high level and get it done.”

BSU snapped a six-match losing streak Friday with backto-back 7-0 sweeps of Aquinas College and Oakland University in Muncie, Ind. on a day when BSU did not drop a single set and

Hartman is ecstatic to be playing at Joe Louis Arena for one final time.

“It adds an element of excitement that it’s the last year, and you have a chance to leave your mark on a dissolving league,” Hartman said. “We’ve been to the Joe four times now, and this just adds a little bit more to that.”

Though the RedHawks are all business heading into their final weekend before what many believe will be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, the Brotherhood is in high spirits as always.

It is hockey tradition to grow a playoff beard for the duration of the post-season, and the unanimous decision on “best beard” as voted on by his peers is senior defenseman Garrett Kennedy.

“Who has the best playoff beard? Kennedy … he always does,” Hartman said of his classmate and fellow defenseman.

“He’s a little fur ball, and we always make fun of him for it.”

As a week of practice comes to a close, the RedHawks will travel to Detroit on Thursday to battle it out in the final CCHA Tournament. They face the No. 20 Michigan Wolverines in the semifinals at 4:35 p.m. Saturday, March 23, and if victorious, will go on to play the winner of Notre Dame and Ohio State at 2:05 p.m. Sunday, March 24. only had five sets that were closer than 6-2. The Cardinals have had a high level of production all season long from the tandem of freshman Courtney Earnest and sophomore Courtney Wild. Earnest is 21-7 for the year in singles matches and Wild is 19-7. They earned sound victories against their opponents on Friday afternoon. Earnest and Wild also form a potent doubles team, posting a 6-4 record this season.

The RedHawks face BSU 1 p.m. Saturday at the Hepburn varsity tennis courts on North Quad.

2013-2014

FIRST YEAR

ROOM SELECTION 2013-2014 Online Room Selection for

Heritage Commons & Miami Inn Lottery: March 26 Room Selection: March 28 Go to MyCard to choose a randomly selected time during the lottery.

Choose your room according to your selected time and invite your roommate on room selection day.

Learn more about room selection and the Second Year Residency Requirement at www.miamioh.edu/housing

www.miamioh.edu/housing

5

513-529-5000

6

OPINION

EDITORS EMILY ELDRIDGE NICOLE THEODORE

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

EDITORIAL@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

EDITORIAL

The following piece, written by the editorial editors, reflects the majority opinion of the editorial board.

Students should pay attention to unpaid internship legalities By definition, an internship is intended to benefit the student because, in the end, they are the ones who need the experience the most, not the organization that hired them.

We all know the job market is extremely competitive, for most of us anyways, leading many students to believe it is the only way they can land their dream job, or any job for that matter, is to work for free as an unpaid intern.

Although, what many students do not realize is that there are regulations on unpaid internships set by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and these laws are broken every day by countless organizations. It is the student’s responsibility to be their own advocate when considering an internship, paid or unpaid.

The editorial board of The Miami Student realizes Miami University cares about their students’ success, even beyond graduation. Miami even informs us they are particularly strict on enforcing NACE regulations when choosing whether or not to sponsor an unpaid internship.

Regardless, some companies have slipped through the cracks and have taken full advantage of the free labor that is the college undergraduate.

Many of us over-eager college students rationalize working for free by saying, “I’m getting experience,” or “This will really enhance my résumé,” but where’s the proof?

The difference between job-offers for students with internships and students without are hardly noticeable.

Many Miami students place such a high importance on landing that perfect internship that they will work for free when they know they cannot

afford to, or even pay to intern in some situations. But who can blame them?

After all, Career Services floods our inbox with countless promotional emails for internships and co-op opportunities. We live in a society that forces us to think in a way that, without an internship, we’ll never get that job.

We’re not saying an unpaid internship won’t help you land a job, but there is a line that must be drawn when working for free. Not only are unpaid internships an expense that many college students cannot afford, but even some paid internships end up paying next to nothing, and when we take into account living expenses and time that could be spent working someplace else, sometimes it may not pay off in the long run after all.

In many other countries, unpaid internships are unheard of and unacceptable. In the U.S., regulations regarding unpaid internships have not been revised since the 1940’s.

Just a few months ago, a handful of past-unpaid interns sued Disney regarding wage law issues. Even organizations that promise a job after an unpaid internship have been called out for refusing to hire interns after their term and simply replacing them with another batch of unpaid interns.

We understand students want the experience, but they need to do research and know exactly what they are getting themselves into and it is a necessity for students to know their rights as an intern. If they end up in a situation that seems unfair, students can’t be afraid to stand up for themselves, even if it does mean loosing a reference. But in the end, we all just want to get paid!

Rule of Thumb Ice Hockey Good luck in Detroit this weekend.

PATRICK GEYSER THE MIAMI STUDENT

The Miami Student is hiring!

We are looking for dedicated individuals to join our team and fill the following paid positions: Editorial Staff

Writers

Managing Editor News Editor Online Editor Campus Editors Community Editors Arts & Entertainment Editor Editorial Editors Photo Editor

Senior Staff Writers *Staff Writers *Contributing Writers *Columnists *Essayists

Page Designers Photographers *Cartoonists *Crossword Makers

Business Staff Advertising Representatives

Production Staff

Fill out an application online or stop by our office in 17 MacMillan Hall.

For questions, email eic@miamistudent.net

Free WSJ and NYT Miami’s initiative to keep these publications free is great.

?

*these positions are NOT paid

First day of “spring” Waking up to a layer of snow is not what we had in mind.

Research Magnet This device can help detect pancreatic cancer earlier. p.2

NOW HIRING: MULTIMEDIA STAFF.

Email Hannah Stein via eic@miamistudent.net for more information.

Pro Day Hopefully we see Miami players compete at the pro level. p.1

Scheduling abroad Students abroad can schedule early but we get second choice. p. 2

Fulbright award Associate professor Steven Keller has been named a Fulbirght visiting professor to Austria. p. 2

HANNAH STEIN EDITOR IN CHIEF KATIE TAYLOR NEWS EDITOR EMILY ELDRIDGE EDITORIAL EDITOR NICOLE THEODORE EDITORIAL EDITOR BILLY RAFAEL ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

CHRIS CURME COMMUNITY EDITOR JANE BLAZER COMMUNITY EDITOR VICTORIA SLATER CAMPUS EDITOR CATHERINE MONCEAUX CAMPUS EDITOR TOM DOWNEY SPORTS EDITOR

www.miamistudent.net

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 OP ED

7

ESSAY

Republican Party reboots the 2013 mayoral race with more successful agenda This past weekend, following the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, the Republican National Committee (RNC) released its 97-page analysis on the matter – detailing 219 suggested changes that could be made in order to win moving forward.

At the top of that list, was a change in messaging that shifts the current discussion from balanced budgets and social issues, towards a message that has worked for 30 Republican Governors – smaller more effective government and increased economic opportunity for all.

If they truly are interested in winning and flipping the six seats necessary to wrestle control of the Senate away from the Democrats in 2014, they will take these 219 suggested changes for a test run in 2013.

With a limited number of races to play in this year, that could prove to be easier said than done.

However, if the RNC is looking for a race to test these changes out, they need look no farther than a neighbor just 30 odd

minutes south – Cincinnati and the 2013 mayoral race.

Located at the heart of Hamilton County, often a deciding factor in state-wide elections, the city has a minority population that makes up over 50 percent of its total population. Furthermore, the city has over 60,000 people living in poverty.

One possible name being thrown around right now on the GOP side is Councilman Charlie Winburn.

Winburn, an African American, would seem to be a logical choice in a city made up largely of minority voters. However, having lost the mayoral elections back in 2005 and being gaffe prone, perhaps a safer alternative is current Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Hartman.

Whether it is Hartman or Winburn who ends up with the party’s nomination, both will present a very different agenda than Mayor Malory’s handpicked successor, Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls.

Qualls would represent a continuation of the same policies that left the city’s pension systems

hundreds of millions of dollars in debt, while at the same time pushing through unnecessary spending projects like a $64 million dollar plus streetcar project.

The Republican alternative this fall would represent a change for the better, scrapping wasteful spending projects and finding private partners to keep costs down for others. Something we see already being done with Hartman’s effort to involve 3CDC on the renovation of Memorial Hall – an effort that will save the taxpayers of Hamilton County $20 million dollars.

Still, reigning in spending and funding private partners to keep the taxpayer’s money from being spread too thin is just the tip of the iceberg. The Republican candidates for mayor will push pro-growth messages that focus on economic development and job creation, appealing to lowerincome and minority voters.

All this means is if the republican candidates are successful in 2013 and take back the mayor’s office for the first time since Kenneth J. Blackwell was

mayor 33 years ago in 1980, they will do so using a message that could prove to be successful to the party on a whole in 2014.

This race will allow the RNC to not only test its messaging, which they described last cycle as “weak and scary,” but it will also allow them the chance to retool their ground game, which they described as “insufficient.”

Whether it is Hartman or Winburn who ends up with the party’s nomination, both will present a very different agenda than Mayor Malory’s handpicked successor,Vice-Mayor Roxanne Qualls.

It will do so because any successful candidate will have to go into the heart of the city and engage with groups of people that the GOP has largely ignored – low-income minorities.

The mayoral candidates will

Combatting rising bat violence in the USA: A modest proposal to create a safer nation

If new bat legislation could save even a single life, is the government not obligated to take action?

Obama Administration’s push to tighten gun regulations is a prime example of this Constitutional imperative in action; confronting the barbaric individuals who support the private ownership and use of high-capacity rifles embodies the common-sense lawmaking that facilitates Americans’ personal safety today and into the future.

Given the Federal Government’s unmatched competence in engineering, and subsequently maintaining the public’s welfare, one is justified in demanding lawmakers expand the scope of new firearm legislation to include other violent implements.

Consider the baseball bat; in its full-size wood or aluminum guise, it serves little, if any, vital function in modern society.

The Major League style bat, as one might refer to it, exists simply for the leisure of lawabiding citizens. In the hands of a criminal, however, the Louisville Slugger, (a name hinting at the bat’s destructive capabilities), becomes an indiscriminate weapon of lethal efficiency.

Do the materialistic pleasures

of such a creation outweigh the substantial risks it poses to human health? I think not. FBI data from recent years confirms the dangers posed to society by fullsize baseball bats; from 2008 to 2011, blunt objects were responsible for nearly twice as many homicides as rifles. Extrapolating these statistics reveals a startling fact; with respect to lethality, Major League style bats are indistinguishable from military style rifles. For decades, the baseball bat industry, with support from lobbyists and congressional cronies, managed to conceal these statistics and deceive the American public. This campaign of misinformation ends today.

A practical response to the arbitrary violence perpetuated by baseball bats entails significant legal and cultural reform; continued government inaction on this matter is unacceptable.

To ensure the success of any new policies nationwide, it’s critical for the Obama Administration take the lead on this issue as it has in advocating for gun control, since federally mandated bat restrictions would circumvent rightwing extremists in state and local governments who defend hazardous bat ownership under the pretense of individual liberty.

Common-sense legislation targeting bat crime could take many forms. Instituting a measure limiting the size and weight of bats sold for civilian use represents a simple, but effective, means of safeguarding individuals’ health that doesn’t infringe on the right for people to own and use bats for sporting purposes.

Regarding the sale of full-size wood and aluminum bats, lawmakers could draft a bill requiring mandatory background checks on any person attempting to purchase said products.

Legislators should also consider a tax-based approach, since such a measure could simultaneously prevent bat proliferation and generate new federal revenues. The

so-called “sin tax” already applied to goods like cigarettes and alcohol could just as easily be levied on Major League style baseball bats. The proceeds from such a tax could then be issued as federal grants to municipalities to fund bat buy-back programs.

Unfortunately, government efforts may not produce the reforms this country so desperately needs, as conservative opposition in Congress is all but assured given the rights general lack of compassion and desire to protect the rich companies that profit from dangerous bats.

Change is still possible, however, as government-imposed bat regulations are not the only avenue by which citizens may be protected from the dangers of Major League style bats.

The public must take a cue from courageous individuals like Mayor Emmanuel of Chicago, who has taken a stand against firearm manufacturers and their business partners.

By boycotting the makers of aggressive baseball bats as well as their corporate associates, (the banks that fund these death-dealers, for example), average citizens can send the message that Americans won’t stand for the death and destruction caused by major league-style bats.

If new bat legislation could save even a single life, is the government not obligated to take action? Although conservatives may attempt to frame it as such, the matter of bat violence is not a partisan issue.

With a few rational policy measures, the federal government could create a safer nation with minimal consequences for baseball bat enthusiasts. It’s easy to question the need for excessively large, and lethal, baseball bats, but it’s impossible to deny the importance of preserving a life.

PETER KABOTH

KABOTHPA@MIAMIOH.EDU

ESSAYISTS WANTED. t n e d u t S i m a i The M is looking for essayists.

Email editorial@miamistudent.net for more information.

and helps us build a broad coalition of non-traditional supporters moving forward.

GREG DICK

DICKGR@MIAMIOH.EDU

When you’re finished reading

ESSAY

The Constitution’s 14th Amendment states no individual shall “be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…”

Contrary to the stance held by most non-progressives, one must infer from this the responsibility of the United States government to defend the life, liberty and property of citizens against all threats. The

have to explain to the people of Cincinnati how their policies help them move up the socio-economic ladder and make a better life for themselves right here at home.

Keeping that in mind, Chairman Priebus and the rest of the RNC should keep their eyes on this race, as it might just be the one race that catapults the Republican Party into the 21st century

The Miami Student, please recycle!

ESSAY

Republicans should dislodge from traditional social issues If the Republicans want to stave off political irrelevancy, they would be wise to embrace libertarianism and the ones leading the charge, such as Senator Rand Paul.

For far too long, Republicans have been politically strangled by being behind the curve on important social and political issues of the day. For instance, in the debate over gay marriage to be settled in the Supreme Court this year, Republicans remain behind.

Recently, Rob Portman, the Senator from Ohio, changed his position on gay marriage because his son, Will, came out as gay to him and his wife. Some have lauded this revelation as narcissistic or reflecting an empathy gap; that it took personal ties to make the reversal on an issue, I’ll still heap approbation on the Senator for coming around, nevertheless.

However, in response to Portman’s change, Speaker of the House John Boehner said, “I believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. … It’s what I grew up with. It’s what I believe. It’s what my church teaches me. And I can’t imagine that position would ever change.” Even in the event of a son of his coming out gay, he said his position would not change.

Certainly, there is much to be said about falling back on “that’s what I grew up on” as the foundation for a belief and the absolutism of never changing, and Boehner’s remarks demonstrate how Republicans continue to be behind on important issues of the day.

For another example, two weeks ago, Rand Paul, the Senator from Kentucky, led a filibuster on the nomination of John Brennan to be CIA Director.

It was an old school filibuster that was essentially “speak until you can’t speak anymore.” Rand mostly focused his filibuster on the question of whether the President of the United States could kill an American citizen on American soil without due process. He used that platform to extend to other issues concerning the limits to executive power, a more sensible foreign policy and even domestic privacy issues.

All told, it was a marathon exercise that made libertarians roar in approval, even if the stauncher ones are skeptical of the heir to Ron Paul’s legacy. The filibuster represented a moment for the GOP to finally embrace civil liberties.

Just as importantly though, it really represented a further strife in the

Republican Party between conservatives and libertarians; such as Senators John McCain, Lindsay Graham and Rand Paul. After the filibuster, the former two came out on the Senate floor to criticize Paul.

McCain’s criticism was the most striking. He called the filibuster a “stunt to fire up impressionable libertarians.”

If the issues of gay marriage and civil liberties are not enough to sway you that Republicans need libertarians to maintain relevancy, consider this: Republicans have lost the popular vote in five of the last six presidential elections (Obama twice, Gore in 2000 and Clinton in the 90’s).

It’s high time for the Republicans to change course. My best recommendation for Republicans would be to dislodge themselves from the Christian right and unnecessarily derisive social issues and focus more on the economy, civil liberties and a more sensible foreign policy.

As to the latter point, recently, at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), The Christian Science Monitor reported on a poll of CPAC attendees, in which “50 percent said the US should pull back, leaving it more to allies to take care of trouble spots.” Moreover, Rand Paul won the CPAC presidential straw poll with 25 percent of the vote.

Traditionally, the CPAC presidential straw poll is viewed as meaningless because it mostly is, but taken with the other poll, perhaps it’s a further sign that at least some Republicans may be willing to embrace the libertarian takeover.

Some may find the notion that Republicans need libertarians to stay relevant in the national discourse an absurd one. Yet, consider this; McCain’s earlier criticism was still astute in one regard: most of Ron Paul’s followers and other libertarians are young people. If the last two presidential elections demonstrated anything, it’s that the Republican Party, among other things, could use young people.

Certainly, I wouldn’t lose sleep if the Grand Old Party simply faded into historical obscurity, but I also want libertarian ideas to gain more traction. If the Republican Party is that platform and Rand Paul the mascot, so be it.

BRETT MILAM

MILAMBC@MIAMIOH.EDU

8

News 513-529-2256 Editorial 513-529-2257 Advertising 513-529-2210

FYI

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

The Miami Student Oldest university paper in the United States, established in 1826

Hannah Stein Editor in Chief

Katie Taylor News Editor

Sean Crowe Business Manager

Jake Brennan Managing Editor

Baylor Myers Asst. Business Manager

Brett Milam Online Editor

Maggie Milliken National Advertising Director Classified Advertising Director

Victoria Slater, Catherine Monceaux Campus Editors

Joe Gioffre Advertising Representative

Chris Curme, Jane Blazer Community Editors

Thomas Gorczynski Advertising Representative

Billy Rafael Arts & Entertainment

Sacha DeVroomen Bellman Adviser

Emily Eldridge, Nicole Theodore Editorial Editors

WDJ Inc. - Bill Dedden Distributor

Tom Downey Sports Editor Lauren Olson Photo Editor

Senior Staff Writers Joe Gieringer Emily Glaser Amanda Hancock Libby Mueller

Staff Writers Megan Thobe Melissa Girgis Jessica Barga

Editorial Writers Olivia Brough Gregory Dick Andrew Geisler Hailey Gilman Anthony Santora Sarah Shew

Sports Columnists Win Braswell Carson Drake Andrew Geisler Joe Gieringer Justin Maskulinski JM Rieger Ross Simon

Designers

Reid Groth Sloane Fuller Amanda Harr Kaliegh Pawar

Photography Staff Lisa Gehring Tyler Graves Ryan Holtz Lauren Hutchison Kim Parent Frankie Roskam Ben Taylor Valerie Westin Blake Wilson Damien Watson

Cartoonists

Patrick Geyser

Website: www.miamistudent.net For advertising information: miamistudent@gmail.com

The Miami Student (Tuesday/Friday) is published during the school year

by the students of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

The content of The Miami Student is the sole responsibility of The Miami Student staff. Opinions expressed in The Miami Student are not necessarily those of Miami University, its students or staff.

CORRECTIONS POLICY The Miami Student is committed to providing the Miami University community with the most accurate information possible. Corrections may be submitted up to seven calendar days after publication.

INTERNSHIPS, FROM PAGE 1

who do not have internship experience and still receive a position at graduation, according to Durack.

According to Durack, she is most concerned in making students aware of their rights.

“Students should be aware that a lot of unpaid internships are illegal,” Durack said. “Students need to know that they have skills worth paying for.”

Protecting students, however, can be difficult for the administration.

According to the interim director of Career Services, Michael Goldman, there is no universitywide policy for dealing with paid or unpaid internships.

According to Goldman, Career Services tries to follow the guidelines from The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) in order to choose which internships to promote. The guidelines have six criteria and can be referenced through Fact Sheet 71 of the U.S. Department of Labor.

“We carefully filter internships, whether they are promoted

through a career fair or on career link,” Goldman said. “Unless they are a not-for-profit or meet the NACE criteria, we do not allow them to post their positions or recruit for our students. We are very clear in our policies to employers and if they misrepresent whether their internship is paid we will bar them from posting their information on our site or coming to our career fairs.”

The university has always been concerned with the quality of internships available to students, according to Goldman.

“We police job postings very carefully and advise students on what questions to ask during interviews to be sure their rights are being met,” Goldman said.

The English department has been having a conversation about the legal and ethical issues that correspond with unpaid internships, and are revising and updating their internship guidelines, according to Durack.

“It is an issue depending on your major and career path,” Goldman said. “We are trying to advise students on factors they should consider when looking for internships in those fields.”

APARTMENTS

FOR RENT

NOTICE

APARTMENT 4 RENT: FOR RENT FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.20132014. 2 BEDROOMS, KITCHEN, BATH & LARGE LIVING AREA. ALL UTILITIES PAID. UPTOWN LOCATION, ABOVE MESLER AUTO BODY @ 22 S. BEECH ST. CONTACT MIKE@ 513-523-3735 1 BEDROOM APTS. 610 SOUTH MAIN Large apartments, close to rec center. 445.00 and 455.00 per month (12 mo. lease). Semester leases available (2 required) 513896-7358

WE’VE GOT YOU We’ve Got You Covered! Studio, 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom & 4 Bedroom Apartments 5 Convenient Locations within minutes of Miami University.

Professional Local Management.

24 Emergency Maintenance. Office 523-2440. Call/Text 335-7044

CERTIFIED LIFEGUARDS/ SWIM INSTR uctors and Activity Specialists – Archery, Basketball, BB Rifle, Naturalist, Male Group Counselors – needed for FUN and REWARDING summer day camp in CINCINNATI. Six week session begins June 17 – July 26, M-F, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM. Contact Camp Wildbrook @ 513-931-2196 or mailto:campwildbrook@cinci.rr.com

SUMMER RENTALS, mid May 2013 thru mid Aug 2013 $650, $700 and/or $900. 1027 Arrowhead Dr., 2000 sq. ft. two story 5 bedroom house with private apartment, 2 baths, like new with luxury accommodations, COMPLETELY FURNISHED, Guarantee one of Oxfords finest rentals, 44 inch wall mount TV, FREE hi-def cable TV & FREE hi-speed Internet, new flooring, washer, dryer, dishwasher, glass top stove, built-in microwave, 2 refrigerators, parking, porch & private back patio & large wood deck, grill & picnic table, lawn service, Large fenced yard partial wooden with access to Miami common, tool shed, New roof and new vinyl siding, Central air, thermal windows, extremely well insulated, big savings on utilities.”

Occupancy opportunities for groups of 1, 2,3,4,5 or 6. Call Alan Barone at cell 740-407-4114, email barone. alan@gmail.com CHICAGO APT FOR SUMMER LEASE Large studio apt for sublease, 5/1-7/31/13. Located 1117 N. Dearborn. Fabulous location: close to bus stop & grocery stores.

Excellent security w/ mgmt on-site & keycard needed for entry. See: http:/halanger.com/1117 for addl details. Contact: kendall.miller3@ gmail.com

HOUSES

COURTYARDS OF MIAMI. Too many roommates? The COURTYARDS of MIAMI might be just what you are looking for. Located at the corner of S. Main Street and E. Central Ave, the MU red, green, and blue bus stops right in the front yard. We offer neat, clean, and colorful housing to students only, at affordable prices. A 2 bedroom apartment shared by 2 students is $2500. and includes HEAT, water and trash. A 1 bedroom with a study is $3700. for those wanting to live alone, (just a few of those open) All residents enjoy free off street parking, on site laundry, and yard space with a shelter. Always upgrading, we are just down the street from the REC, and inside one block from Campus. On site office, flexible hours, and excellent upkeep, make the COURTYARDS a place worth looking at. Ask about free summers and the referal plan. Stop by, contact Carolyn at 513-659-5671, or thecourtyardsofmiami@yahoo. com for more info. www.thecourtyardsofmiami.com ROBERTS APARTMENTS! Great Location! Close to Uptown/Campus. 1 and 2 bedroom apartments available for 2013-14. On-Site Laundry. Off-Street Parking. www. roberts-apts.com 513-839-1426 info@roberts-apts.com CAMPUS COMMONS. Campus Commons & Campus Courts Apts., located on Campus Ave. across from Miami’s Rec., have limited availability for 13-14 yr. Visit web SouthCampusQuarter.com or call 513-523-1647

CERTIFIED LIFEGUARDS AND Activity Speciaists Needed for FUN and REWARDING Summer Day Camp in Cincinnati. Swim instructors, basketball, BB Rifle, Archery, naturalist for six week session begins June 17 – July 26, M – F, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM. Contact Camp Wildbrook at 513-931-2196 or campwildbrook@cinci.rr.com GREAT LOCATION! Close to Uptown/Campus. 1 and 2 bedroom apartments available for 2013-14.

On-Site Laundry. Off-Street Parking. www.roberts-apts.com 513839-1426 info@roberts-apts.com BRING YOUR HORSE Bring your horse to our stables 6 miles south of Oxford and board for 2 wks all cost on us. Look us over and hopefully sign up for permanent boarding at our fine facility. Indoor / Outdoor Arena. Jump Course.

Turn Outs. 5 Miles of Riding Trails.

Lounge with Restroom. Nice Grass Pasture Knowledgeable Barn ManagerRoyale Oak Stables. 3080 Minton Rd. Just off of 27. Call: 513370-0053 or 513-385-8855

Save the trees!

Please recycle when you’re finished

SCHMATES HOME RENTALS Secure your home for next year.

Only a few homes remain for the 2013/14 school year. Go to: www. schmatesrentals.com HOME FOR RENT: AVAIL 20132014 316 North Elm Street, 4 bdrm/2.5 bath home. Will be updated and freshly painted with new flooring! One block from Miami Metro stops. $20,000/2 semesters ($2500/student with 4) $2000 deposit. Contact Tracy @ cajun. suites@gmail.com or 619-997-7999

8,000...

The number of Miami Student readers who will see

YOUR AD HERE! To advertise in The Miami Student , please contact Sean Crowe at crowesp2@muohio.edu.

miami summer registration is now open.

sum mer OXFORD - MIDDLETOWN - HAMILTON VOICE OF AMERICA LEARNING CENTER GREENTREE HEALTH SCIENCE ACADEMY

{ ON CAMPUS, ONLINE, GLOBAL }

MiamiOH.edu/summer Register Early! All summer term courses and workshops and are enrollment contingent, and subject to cancellation due to low enrollment.

STUDY ABROAD & AWAY - ONLINE

www.miamistudent.net

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

LY

N O E M I T D E LIMIT

D R A C T F I G 0 $25

9 0 4 $ f o e t a r w o l or new DR 1, 2, 3 & 4 BE

O

BLE A L I A V A S N OM OPTIO

NOW PET FRIENDLY

GREAT LOCATION TO CAMPUS + ON MU’S BLUE & GREEN BUS ROUTES + STATE-OF-THE-ART FITNESS CENTER BUSINESS CENTER + RESORT-STYLE POOL + SPORT COURTS + FULLY FURNISHED + LEATHER-STYLE FURNITURE

H AW K S H O U S I N G.CO M | 51 3 . 5 2 3 .76 6 6 | 5 2 6 2 B ROW N ROA D LIMITED TIME ONLY | SEE OFFICE FOR DETAILS |

Thank you

Miami University

for making a difference, one line of code at a time.

159 Coders, 24 Hours, 6 Nonprofits, 3 Locations Congratulations to the Code for Good challenge winners and thank you to all Miami University participants. You helped solve real-life technology challenges for the Ohio nonprofit – Community Shelter Board – to make a difference in people’s lives. We are proud of your efforts, and you should be too.

Matthew Herbst | Tanmay Mathur | Jiajun Wang | Josh Wonser

techcareers.jpmorganchase.com

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer M/F/D/V ©2013 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

9

10

SPORTS

EDITOR TOM DOWNEY

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 TOM DOWNEY WHAT’S GOING DOWNEY

COLUMNIST PREDICTIONS FOR MARCH MADNESS

March Madness is here. A few columnists came together and gave a sleeper, bust and champion pick. Of course, these will be printed after the first day of games, so we could all look incredibly foolish, or perhaps brilliant… but probably foolish.

JM Rieger Sleeper: Saint Louis University (SLU) The Billikens not only won the Atlantic-10 Conference regular season and tournament titles, but did so in a convincing fashion amidst a tough conference. The only conferences with more tournament teams are the Big East and the Big Ten. SLU lost only three conference games, two of which came in overtime, and racked up five wins against top 25 teams. Experience from one of the nation’s top conferences coupled with a top 20 defense will propel SLU to Atlanta.

Bust: Marquette University Despite its No. 3 seed, the Golden Eagles will land shortly after taking off. Marquette was under .500 on the road this year and four of the team’s eight losses came against top 25 RPI teams. Although the Eagles defeated Davidson College in the first round, they will face a feisty Butler University team in the second round that Marquette lost to in November. Marquette is gassed from a brutal schedule and it will show this weekend.

Champion: University of Florida To some, the Gators struggled down the stretch, going 6-4 in the team’s last 10 games. At first glance, Florida does not seem like the type of team poised to make a run to Atlanta this year. However, this is an elite offensive and defensive team, as they are fifth in offensive efficiency and second in defensive efficiency. Florida manhandled top teams like Marquette and the University of Wisconsin and won every game by double digits this year. Depth, athleticism and Billy Donovan’s championship experience will make the difference, and the Gators will cut down the nets to earn its third title in the past seven years.

Ross Simon Sleeper: Creighton University.

The Bluejays are 27-7 on the season with quality wins against Wisconsin, Arizona State University, the University of Akron and the University of California. Creighton did face a tough stretch late in the season, dropping three in a row without star junior forward Doug McDermott, but they enter the tourney on a five game winning streak. The Bluejays are first in the nation in shooting percentage, shooting over 50 percent for the season. I’ve got the Bluejays knocking off the University of Cincinnati in the first round and sending Duke University home early, before falling to Michigan State University in the Sweet 16.

Bust: Duke University As well-coached as the Blue Devils are, with Mike Krzyzewski manning the bench, and as talented as Duke is, this is a team I believe will come in underprepared. Duke has had tough tests, knocking off the likes of Ohio State University, the University of Miami and the University of Louisville along the way, but all of those games were played at

a neutral site or at home. This Duke team has not been tested in front of a hostile crowd against a capable team and won. Many fans will want to see the Blue Devils fall early...and fall they will. Duke goes down in the round of 32 to Creighton. Duke always seems to have too high of expectations, and this Duke team hasn’t shown they can win on the road. Even against lesser teams like the University of Maryland or the University of Virginia, Duke could not take care of business and they will fail again this March.

Champion: University of Louisville Louisville is one of the best coached teams in the nation with Rick Pitino at the helm. Louisville also has an All-American in senior guard Peyton Siva, one of the best point guards in the nation. Louisville has not lost since their five overtime thriller against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and has shown that they can compete with their backs against the wall. Down big against Syracuse University in the Big East tournament championship game, Louisville went on a 27-3 run in the final eight minutes of the game to pull away and win easily. The Cardinals boast an extraordinary frontcourt with junior center Gorgui Dieng leading the way. Dieng has made a major impact for Coach Pitino and the Cardinals. With Siva and Dieng to go along with the likes of junior guard Russ Smith, it’s hard to pick against this Louisville squad.

Tom Downey Sleeper: Virginia Commonwealth University Remember that VCU squad that made a miraculous run to the Final Four a few years ago? Well this current squad had a better regular season than the Final Four team. The Fightin’ Shaka Smarts led the nation in steals and put up the 11th most points per game. Their “Havoc” defense will cause opposing players and coaches fits on the court and might led to nightmares off.

Don’t sleep on this squad, as an Elite Eight run or even another Final Four trip is possible.

Bust: Duke University There is no denying Duke has talent. The problem is Duke relies way too much on the three point shot. If they have a bad night, they aren’t going to win. They struggle defensively as well, as Duke is 124th in defensive field goal percentage. No team that is at least a No. 3 seed is worse than 68th. Ouch. They also have a tough draw as they will likely have to face Creighton and Michigan State in the second and third rounds, respectively. They won’t get past the bruising Spartans, and I don’t even have them getting past the feisty Bluejays.

Champion: University of Louisville Everyone knows defense wins championships and Louisville averages 10.7 steals per game, good for second in the nation. The Cards have two talented guards, in Siva and Smith. Siva is the heart and soul of the team, but they’ll go as far as the inconsistent yet dangerous Smith takes them. I’ve got my money on coach Rick Pitino being able to get Smith to play to the best of his ability.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NIT RESULTS LATE THURSDAY NIGHT ILLINOIS 73 MIAMI 60

SPORTS@MIAMISTUDENT.NET

HOCKEY

’Hawks prepare for final CCHA Championship

BY JOE GIERINGER SENIOR STAFF WRITER

For the No. 3 Miami University hockey team, a fourth-straight Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) semifinal appearance offers a chance at immortality. Just three weeks ago, Miami locked up the regular season title against in-state rival Ohio State in the last game of the season. Now, in the final year of the CCHA, it has a chance to hoist the Mason Cup as well.

Senior captain Steven Spinell is just fine with having his team’s name be the last in a long list of CCHA champions.

“It would be the double whammy,” Spinell said. “It would be awesome. I think everyone is gunning for that, but we’ve just got to take it one day at a time.

Michigan’s a great team, and we’ve got to be ready to go.”

“A great team” might even be an understatement in light of how the Maize and Blue have played lately. Though they harbor a 17-18-3 record, the Wolverines are 7-0-1 in their last eight games, and have broken into the top 20 in the USCHO.com poll.

If it wants to earn a spot in the NCAA tournament, Michigan will most likely have to win the CCHA tournament in style, and Miami Head Coach Enrico Blasi knows what his team is up against on Saturday.

“They’re a really good team,” Blasi said. “They’ve got talented

LAUREN OLSON PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Miami University senior defensman and captain Steven Spinell fires a shot on net from the blue line. defensemen, they’ve got forwards that are good in transition and are as skilled as anyone in the country and their goalies are playing really well, so it’s going

to be a good challenge.”

In addition to recent on-ice

HOCKEY, SEE PAGE 5

TRACK & FIELD

Miami races toward warmer weather

BY JUSTIN MASKULINSKI

FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT

Ohio winters can be unpredictable often times and both the men’s and women’s track and field teams at Miami University are well aware of this.

Both teams will be travelling to Vanderbilt University for the annual Black and Gold Invitational this weekend in hopes of warmer weather and a successful competition.

The RedHawks have not been able to train outside much this winter because of the cold and unpredictable weather. Men’s Head Coach Warren Mandrell said it is hard to practice timing and explosive events unless they are on a track.

“We hope it’s warmer at Vanderbilt,” Mandrell said. “The winter in Ohio slows our training and we can’t get the reps we want to.”

The Black and Gold Invitational is a familiar venue for the ’Hawks, and Mandrell said this is the fourth consecutive year they have made the trip. The men’s cross country team competed at Vanderbilt last fall as well.

Mandrell said he hopes this meet, which should be full of Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools, will give him a gauge of where the ’Hawks are standing after one meet.

“The meet has grown every year since we began coming,” Mandrell said. “It is typically a competitive meet, and it will show us where we are as a team.”

Mandrell expects senior distance runner Jarrod Eick and junior sprinter Jahquil Hargrove to lead the ’Hawks against the field of competition.

The addition of the steeplechase, javelin and hammer throw will allow Mandrell to see where the ’Hawks stand. These events are not included in the indoor season.

“It’s the first opportunity for a lot of events,” Mandrell said. “I think our usual suspects [Eick and Hargrove] will perform well.”

The women’s track team is also in search of warmer weather.

“We’re praying for warm weather,” Head Coach Kelly Phillips said.

“I’m tired of this winter.”

The women’s team has a better indicator of their talent because they competed in nine indoor meets

compared to the men’s two.

“We had the indoor season to see where we are but [The Black and Gold Invitational] will be a good competition,” Phillips said.

Phillips said the meet is not formally scored so it does not necessarily matter where the ’Hawks finish as a team.

The ’Hawks took nine athletes to the University of Central Florida during spring break to compete, but Phillips said she viewed that meet as more of a practice. “[Vanderbilt] is our first real meet,” Phillips said. “We’ll have around thirty athletes competing.

We’ll see what we need to work on for the spring.”

As for a top performer, Phillips set the standards high for the Red and White.

“Hopefully they all do well, I expect them to,” Phillips said. “Having javelin, hammer throw and steeplechase will allow us to see the events we don’t see indoors.”

Though the meet is not scored, both the men’s and women’s teams will have a better indicator of what they need to do to pursue a Mid-American Conference Championship.

TENNIS

RedHawks prepare to take on Ball State

BY JORDAN RINARD STAFF WRITER

After ending the non-conference portion of its schedule on a four-match losing streak during a seven-match road stand, the Miami University women’s tennis team is seeking to right the ship as it starts Mid-American Conference (MAC) play in Oxford against Ball State University (BSU) Saturday.

“We’re ready for the MAC opener,” assistant coach Ricardo Rosas said. “We had a tough nonconference schedule, but it gave us the opportunity to work on things that we needed to improve on, like overcoming adversity

and building confidence. We had some tough losses but we learned a lot and the players are ready to give a good effort.”

The RedHawks (4-11) have swept the Cardinals (9-7) 7-0 in each of the last two seasons, and are preparing to start their journey towards a fifth straight regular season MAC title. The Cardinals are 3-7 in road matches this season and the ’Hawks are 3-2 at home.

Despite its struggles so far this season, Miami’s team has had some strong individual performances. Junior Nimisha Mohan has won six of her last seven matches in singles play, including her current run of two following

the matches against the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida. She leads the team with nine singles wins. Meanwhile, sophomores Alix Thurman and Christine Guerrazzi form a productive doubles team for the Red and White, winning three straight matches in late February. They are both 1214 overall in doubles matches this season. Thurman is also second on the team in singles wins with 17. She trails only Mohan, who has 18.

“We faced some strong competition in non-conference play,

TENNIS,

SEE PAGE 5